Element.setPointerCapture()

The setPointerCapture() method of the Element interface is used to designate a specific element as the capture target of future pointer events. Subsequent events for the pointer will be targeted at the capture element until capture is released (via Element.releasePointerCapture()).

Pointer capture allows events for a particular pointer event (PointerEvent) to be re-targeted to a particular element instead of the normal (or hit test) target at a pointer's location. This can be used to ensure that an element continues to receive pointer events even if the pointer device's contact moves off the element (such as by scrolling or panning).

targetElement.setPointerCapture(pointerId);

pointerId

The pointerId of a PointerEvent object.

This method returns undefined.

This example sets pointer capture on a <div> when you press down on it. This lets you slide the element horizontally, even when you pointer moves outside of its boundaries.

<div id="slider">SLIDE ME</div>

div {
  width: 140px;
  height: 50px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  background: #fbe;
}

function beginSliding(e) {
  slider.onpointermove = slide;
  slider.setPointerCapture(e.pointerId);
}

function stopSliding(e) {
  slider.onpointermove = null;
  slider.releasePointerCapture(e.pointerId);
}

function slide(e) {
  slider.style.transform = `translate(${e.clientX - 70}px)`;
}

const slider = document.getElementById('slider');

slider.onpointerdown = beginSliding;
slider.onpointerup = stopSliding;

• Element.releasePointerCapture
• Pointer Events